Page 135 of Vegas Baby!

“It’s so sweet, and I love them so much, but we don’t all need to be cooped up. They haven’t left my side since we met, andhaven’t left the house since Lucy came home. Everyone’s been bringing us everything we could need.”

Ava was right that we had all been sticking a little closer to home than usual. None of us wanted to be out of earshot if either her or Lucy needed us. I could see how that might feel a bit smothering even if Ava never expressed that. Even though both babies and omegas thrived on physical contact, at a certain point even the neediest omega could get overwhelmed.

I would’ve told her she could just tell us to leave her be, but alphas went through a hormonal shift with new babies almost as much as omegas did—an evolutionary design that usually kept the baby in someone’s arms at all times to encourage bonding. I managed an hour or two when my mother came to visit, but beyond that I was always at Ava’s side. The ice cream was a genius idea, tricking their primal brains into providing for their omega and letting everyone get some breathing space.

“Do you want me to hold Lucy between feeds so you can have a break being touched?”

“I will take that ten-minute break,” Ava said with a laugh.

I took Lucy from Ava and nuzzled her plump cheek with mine.

Ava sat at the island, sipping some tea my mother made her. “This is delish, Mama Sol.”

“I’m glad you like it, mija. Is our little one still doing well with the refried beans or should I leave them out of your portion?”

“She was totally fine last time.”

Mom was bound and determined to get Lucy loving her cooking even though she couldn’t taste it herself directly. I didn’t dissuade her, and neither did Ava. Watching my mate get along so well with my mother and loving the food I’d grown up on was soothing in a way I hadn’t anticipated. I loved my family and was grateful Ava was so open to letting my mother be part of her life.

Lucy stared up at me with her big blue eyes. Would they stay that color or turn hazel like Ava’s and mine? I couldn’t for the life of me remember what color eyes Andrew had, and I wasn’t going to ask.

“How is the other one finding living in town here?” Mom asked.

“Charlotte?” Ava asked.

Mom nodded.

“It’s a really different energy from New York City, but she seems to be settling in all right.”

Charlotte and her boys moved into a two-bedroom apartment while she was going through her divorce proceedings. She’d gone back to New York briefly to arrange a few things, but had decided that Vegas was as good a place as any to settle for the foreseeable future. They had come to visit twice since moving out two weeks ago. It was a bit of a strange situation, all things considered, but her boys were taken with us, and she and Ava were finding a sweet friendship, so I didn’t mind one bit. Our family was unconventional, and Andrew had already given us two beautiful additions by getting Ava to Vegas so we could find her. Why should I be bothered by three more?

Lucy fussed after barely twenty minutes in my arms and Ava sighed, smiling softly. “Come on, little lady. Time for another snack.”

I kissed her temple and breathed in her creamy praline scent before returning to help my mother spread the sauce and cheese across the enchiladas before getting them all into the oven. It took a lot to feed all of us and Mom was delighted every time we emptied out a dish.

The others returned, victorious, with the ice creams Ava had requested as we were pulling dinner from the oven. Her face lit up as each one claimed a triumphant kiss before depositing their bounty in the freezer. All three crowded around her, snugglingin and getting a fresh hit of her omega scent. It was so fucking cute to watch I could hardly cope, so I didn’t, joining them to get more of her for myself.

A few months ago I never could have predicted the direction my life would take, but as my pack and I showered adoration on our omega and our daughter, I couldn’t have been happier that fate derailed everything I thought I’d wanted and instead gave me everything it knew I needed.

“Honey, she’s beautiful.” Mom cradled Lucy, and I was pretty sure the entire room had hawk eyes on her. They were subtle about it, but Mom was still on relationship probation. The pack and I had decided that a party would allow more distant family members some time to plan to come visit, and it also let Micah’s family put on one of the events they loved so much.

Nathan sat next to Mom, ready to muzzle any unpleasantness that might come out of her. “I’ve got a surprise.”

“What kind of surprise?” I asked.

“I’m moving to Vegas.”

My jaw dropped. Nathan has been gallivanting around the world for the last few years on the heels of his mentor, designing some of the most gorgeous buildings I’d ever seen. “You’re movinghere? But you love your job.”

“I can love a new one,” he said, rubbing Lucy’s cheek with his knuckle. “I want to be around for this little gal. I’ve already got a job lined up in the city.”

I swept around Mom and Lucy to tackle him in a hug. “Really?”

“I’ve got to compete for my spot as favorite uncle, right?”

“You absolutely do,” I said with a laugh and settled back down. “You’ve got a lot of competition.”

“All the more reason to up my game. Mom, quit hogging her.”

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